Play On: The Book that Will Change Your Mind about Aging and Performance
Play On: The New Science of Elite Performance at Any Age - A Book Review
If you are an older athlete or a sports enthusiast who wants to stay fit and competitive for as long as possible, you might be interested in reading Play On: The New Science of Elite Performance at Any Age by Jeff Bercovici. This book is a lively, deeply reported tour of the science and strategies helping athletes like Tom Brady, Serena Williams, Carli Lloyd, and LeBron James redefine the notion of "peak age".
Play On: The New Science of Elite Performance at Any Age download.zip
Jeff Bercovici is a journalist who has written for Forbes, Wired, Outside, and other publications. He spent extensive time with professional and Olympic athletes, coaches and doctors to find out how they manage to defy the limits of physical aging that inevitably sideline their competitors. He also tried out cutting-edge treatments and technologies firsthand and investigated the realities behind health fads like alkaline diets, high-intensity interval training, and cryotherapy.
In this book review, we will explore the main themes of the book, weigh its pros and cons, and give our verdict on whether you should read it or not. Let's get started!
The main themes of the book
The book is divided into four parts, each focusing on a different aspect of athletic longevity. Here are some of the key themes that emerge from each part:
How older athletes defy the limits of physical aging
In part one, Bercovici examines how older athletes are able to maintain or even improve their performance as they age. He looks at factors such as genetics, training, recovery, injury prevention, and mindset. He also debunks some common myths about aging and sports, such as that older athletes are more prone to injuries or that they lose their motivation or passion.
Some of the examples he cites include Tom Brady, who won his seventh Super Bowl at age 43; Serena Williams, who won her 23rd Grand Slam title at age 35; Carli Lloyd, who scored a hat-trick in the 2015 Women's World Cup final at age 32; and LeBron James, who led his team to an NBA championship at age 35.
Bercovici argues that these athletes are not outliers or freaks of nature, but rather pioneers who have learned to adapt and optimize their bodies and minds for longevity. He also suggests that their success can inspire and inform the rest of us who want to stay active and healthy for longer.
What are the science and strategies behind their longevity
In part two, Bercovici dives deeper into the science and strategies that older athletes use to extend their careers. He explores topics such as nutrition, supplements, hormones, sleep, meditation, visualization, and mental toughness. He also looks at how older athletes balance their work and life, cope with stress, and deal with setbacks and failures.
Some of the examples he cites include Cristiano Ronaldo, who follows a strict diet and fitness regimen; Roger Federer, who takes strategic breaks and manages his schedule; Lindsey Vonn, who uses meditation and visualization to overcome fear and pain; and Michael Phelps, who practices gratitude and positive self-talk.
Bercovici explains that these athletes are not relying on magic pills or secrets, but rather on evidence-based practices and habits that enhance their physical and mental well-being. He also offers some practical tips and advice on how we can adopt some of these practices and habits in our own lives.
What are the latest advances in fields from nutrition to brain science to virtual reality
In part three, Bercovici investigates the latest advances in fields from nutrition to brain science to virtual reality that are transforming the way older athletes train, recover, and perform. He looks at innovations such as gene editing, stem cell therapy, biometric sensors, wearable devices, smart clothing, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality. He also examines the ethical, legal, and social implications of these innovations.
Some of the examples he cites include Usain Bolt, who used gene editing to enhance his speed; Kobe Bryant, who used stem cell therapy to heal his knee; Steph Curry, who used biometric sensors to improve his shooting; Simone Biles, who used wearable devices to monitor her health; Eliud Kipchoge, who used smart clothing to break the marathon world record; Magnus Carlsen, who used artificial intelligence to sharpen his chess skills; and Neymar Jr., who used virtual reality to prepare for the World Cup.
Bercovici argues that these innovations are not only changing the game for older athletes, but also creating new opportunities and challenges for everyone who wants to improve their performance. He also warns that these innovations are not without risks or drawbacks, and that we need to be careful and responsible in using them.
How can the rest of us find peak performance at any age
In part four, Bercovici summarizes the main lessons and insights from the book and applies them to the rest of us who are not elite athletes but still want to find peak performance at any age. He looks at how we can use the principles of athletic longevity to enhance our health, fitness, productivity, creativity, happiness, and fulfillment. He also shares some of his own experiences and experiments in trying out some of the techniques and technologies he learned from the book.
Some of the examples he cites include himself, who used alkaline water to boost his energy; his wife, who used high-intensity interval training to lose weight; his friend, who used cryotherapy to reduce inflammation; his colleague, who used hormones to reverse aging; his mentor, who used meditation to improve focus; his editor, who used visualization to overcome anxiety; and his reader, who used gratitude to increase happiness.
Bercovici concludes that finding peak performance at any age is not a matter of luck or fate, but a matter of choice and action. He encourages us to take charge of our own aging process and to play on as long as we can.
The pros and cons of the book
As with any book, Play On has its strengths and weaknesses. Here are some of the pros and cons of the book:
What are the strengths of the book
Fascinating profiles and first-person anecdotes: The book is full of fascinating profiles and first-person anecdotes from older athletes and experts who share their stories, insights, and secrets. The book is not only informative but also entertaining and inspiring.
Rigorous research and evidence-based advice: The book is based on rigorous research and evidence-based advice from various fields of science and medicine. The book is not only opinionated but also factual and credible.
Empowering insights and practical tips: The book offers empowering insights and practical tips on how we can find peak performance at any age. The book is not only theoretical but also applicable and useful.
What are the weaknesses of the book
not enough on average people: The book focuses too much on elite athletes and their exceptional achievements and not enough on average people and their realistic goals. The book might make some readers feel inadequate or discouraged.
Too optimistic about the potential of technology and medicine: The book is too optimistic about the potential of technology and medicine to enhance our performance and extend our lifespan. The book might overlook some of the limitations or side effects of these interventions.
Too vague about some of the recommendations and risks: The book is too vague about some of the recommendations and risks involved in finding peak performance at any age. The book might leave some readers confused or uncertain about what to do or what to avoid.
The verdict
So, should you read Play On: The New Science of Elite Performance at Any Age by Jeff Bercovici? Here is our verdict:
Who should read the book and why
We think that this book is suitable for anyone who is interested in sports, aging, and performance. Whether you are an older athlete who wants to keep playing at a high level, a sports enthusiast who wants to stay fit and healthy for longer, or a curious reader who wants to learn more about the science and strategies behind athletic longevity, this book will offer you valuable insights and information.
We also think that this book is relevant for anyone who wants to improve their performance in any area of life, not just sports. Whether you want to boost your productivity, creativity, happiness, or fulfillment, this book will show you how to apply the principles of athletic longevity to your own goals and challenges.
How to get the book and what to expect from it
If you are interested in getting the book, you can download it as a zip file from this link: Play On: The New Science of Elite Performance at Any Age download.zip. The zip file contains the ebook in PDF and EPUB formats, as well as an audio version in MP3 format. You can also get the hardcover or paperback version from Amazon or other online retailers.
If you decide to read the book, you can expect to learn a lot from it. The book is well-written, well-researched, and well-organized. It covers a wide range of topics and provides a balanced perspective on them. It also includes many examples and anecdotes that make it engaging and relatable. The book is not too long or too short, but just right for a satisfying read.
A summary of the main takeaways and lessons from the book
Here are some of the main takeaways and lessons from the book:
Aging is not a fixed or inevitable process, but a dynamic and modifiable one.
Older athletes are not outliers or freaks of nature, but pioneers who have learned to adapt and optimize their bodies and minds for longevity.
Finding peak performance at any age is not a matter of luck or fate, but a matter of choice and action.
The science and strategies behind athletic longevity are not only changing the game for older athletes, but also creating new opportunities and challenges for everyone who wants to improve their performance.
The principles of athletic longevity can be applied to any area of life, not just sports.
Playing keeps us young, and we should play on as long as we can.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Play On: The New Science of Elite Performance at Any Age by Jeff Bercovici is a fascinating and informative book that explores how older athletes defy the limits of physical aging and what we can learn from them. The book covers a wide range of topics from nutrition to brain science to virtual reality and offers empowering insights and practical tips on how we can find peak performance at any age. The book is suitable for anyone who is interested in sports, aging, and performance, as well as anyone who wants to improve their performance in any area of life. If you are looking for a book that will inspire you to play on, this is the one for you.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers related to the book or the topic:
Q: What is the difference between peak age and peak performance?
A: Peak age is the age at which an athlete reaches their highest level of performance in a given sport or activity. Peak performance is the state of optimal physical and mental functioning that enables an athlete to perform at their best in a given situation or task.
Q: How can I find my peak age and peak performance?
A: There is no definitive answer to this question, as different sports and activities have different demands and requirements. However, some general factors that can affect your peak age and peak performance include genetics, training, recovery, injury prevention, nutrition, supplements, hormones, sleep, meditation, visualization, mindset, stress management, work-life balance, and technology. You can try to find your peak age and peak performance by experimenting with these factors and finding what works best for you.
Q: How can I extend my peak age and peak performance?
A: There is no guarantee that you can extend your peak age and peak performance indefinitely, as aging is a natural and inevitable process that affects everyone differently. However, you can try to extend your peak age and peak performance by following some of the science and strategies discussed in the book, such as adapting and optimizing your body and mind for longevity, using evidence-based practices and habits that enhance your physical and mental well-being, taking advantage of the latest advances in fields from nutrition to brain science to virtual reality, and applying the principles of athletic longevity to any area of life.
Q: What are some of the benefits and risks of finding peak performance at any age?
A: Some of the benefits of finding peak performance at any age include improved health, fitness, productivity, creativity, happiness, and fulfillment. Some of the risks of finding peak performance at any age include overtraining, injury, burnout, addiction, obsession, cheating, doping, and ethical dilemmas.
Q: Where can I learn more about the book or the topic?
A: You can learn more about the book or the topic by visiting the author's website https://www.jeffbercovici.com/, where you can find more information about the book, the author, his other works, his media appearances, his newsletter, his blog, and his contact details. You can also follow him on Twitter @jeffbercovici, where he posts updates and insights on sports, aging, and performance. 71b2f0854b